Hazen, Knights pummel Elks for first victory

Friday, June 6, Bend, Ore. – Catcher Aiden Hazen tripled, doubled and drove in five runs on June 6 and the Knights won their first game of the summer by thrashing host Bend 12-8 at Vince Genna Stadium.

A rising sophomore at LBCC from Marist High, the Junction City native (pictured above) went 2-for-5 with a run as the Knights (2-3 all, 1-3 WCL) bashed 13 hits to bust out of a two-game offensive slump.

Incoming Oregon State right fielder Joshua Proctor was 3-for-5 with two runs, raising his average to .375. Center fielder Kellen Segel (LBCC) hit a three-run homer, a double and scored three times.

Shortstop Braeden Mondeau (Hawaii-Hilo) and DH Xavier Rios (CSUN) added two hits each; Rios also scored twice. A 10-day signee, Mondeau has hit safely in all four games and is batting .400.

Segel’s three-run homer in the second inning gave the Knights a 3-1 lead and ended the club’s 20-inning scoreless streak. His first home run of the summer – also the first for the Knights – drove in Jakob Marquez (Lewis-Clark State) and Proctor, who had each singled to lead off the frame.

Bend went back ahead 4-3 in the bottom half, but Corvallis retook the lead 5-4 in the fourth on Hazen’s two-run double.

The Knights then exploded for five runs with two outs in the fifth to surge ahead 10-4. The first run scored on a bases-loaded walk; Hazen then ripped a triple to clear the bases and send the Knights ahead 9-4.

Brooks Avery (LBCC) followed with a single to score Hazen to push Corvallis ahead 10-4. The Knights added a two-run seventh for a 12-5 advantage.

TCU right-hander Trey Neumann went 2.2 innings in his season debut for Corvallis and gave up four runs on six hits over 2.2 innings, with four strikeouts.

Reliever J’Shawn Unger (Nebraska) shut down the Elks for 3.1 innings, allowing one run and striking out four. He was credited with the victory. Dom Tatone (Western Oregon) went two innings before giving way to Mac Zawistoski (Chaminade), who got the final three outs.

The series resumes on June 7, with Long Beach State righty Jake Fields making his initial start against Bend righty Erik Poudziunas (1-0, 0.00) of Michigan.

Corvallis righty Sam Coffman (0-0, 4.50) of Umpqua CC will oppose Bend righty John-Paul Sauer of Tulane (1-0, 1.80) in the June 8 finale.

The Knights home opener against the Springfield Drifters is set for 6:35 p.m. June 11 at Goss Stadium.

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